Festivals and events in Gallura 2026: the complete calendar

Gallura in 2026 hosts dozens of festivals, saint's days, food and music events spread across Olbia, Arzachena, Tempio Pausania, San Pantaleo and all north-east Sardinia villages. They're occasions to live the territory like locals do, eat typical products at affordable prices, discover millennia-old traditions. This guide collects the main events updated to 2026, organised by month. Dates are indicative — always check on official municipal or pro loco channels before going. All listed events are reachable from Olbia in 30-90 minutes by car.

Premise: how Sardinian festivals work

• Almost all are free entry. You only pay for food and drinks
• Food: €5-15 per traditional dish + €3-5 per drink
• Time: typically from 19:00 to midnight
• Live music: folk groups, accordion, Sardinian dances
• Parking: often problematic in small villages, arrive 1 hour before start
• Children: welcome, family atmosphere

March - April 2026

Easter in Tempio Pausania (various dates)

Tempio Pausania is famous for Holy Week processions: saints' statues are carried through grey-stone old town streets. Very evocative atmosphere. Lasts an entire week.

San Simplicio Festival (15 May)

Olbia. City patron, 7-day festival. Markets, procession, fireworks at the port. Free evening concert in the square. Excellent for families.

May 2026

Cala Ginepro Music Festival (late May)

Cala Ginepro (San Teodoro). Live music festival on the beach. International and Italian artists. Free entry or paid for main concerts.

Vermentino Festival (last weekend of May)

Berchidda (40 min from Olbia). Free Vermentino di Gallura DOCG tastings at local wineries (Surrau, Capichera, Piero Mancini). Wine atmosphere, paired food, music.

June 2026

Sant'Antonio Abate Festival (13 June)

Various Gallura villages. Night bonfires, traditional dances, grilled sausage.

Sardinia Pride (mid-June)

Olbia. LGBTQ+ parade and events in old town.

Olbia White Night (third weekend of June)

Olbia centre. Shops open until midnight, live music, entertainment, markets. Free entry. Festive atmosphere.

July 2026

Settimana delle Bocche (early July)

Porto Cervo / La Maddalena. International historical sailing regatta organised by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. Spectacular view from land. Society events at the Piazzetta. Possible partial SP59 closures.

"Time in Jazz" Festival (1-15 August, some concerts already in July)

Berchidda + other Gallura villages. Jazz festival founded by Paolo Fresu, one of Europe's most important. Free concerts in squares, churches, vineyards. Unique atmosphere, main concert tickets ~€30-50.

Sea Festival (Olbia, third weekend of July)

Olbia, Old Port. Boat procession for Madonna del Mare, fireworks, fried fish and mussel stalls, music.

Sant'Antonio Abate (16 July)

Tempio Pausania. Patron. Procession, dances, popular festival in old town.

August 2026

Time in Jazz (1-15 August)

Jazz festival continues in Berchidda and surroundings. See above.

Faradda di li Candareri / San Pasquale Festival (various)

Aglientu. Ancient religious festival with procession, giant candles, traditional Gallura dances.

Fisherman's Festival (first weekend of August)

Cannigione. Fresh fish at popular prices, live music, beach bonfires.

Stella Maris Festival (15 August)

Porto San Paolo. Boat procession, statues, fireworks at sea. Dinner in local trattoria.

Sardinian Ferragosto (15 August)

Celebrated in all Gallura villages. Olbia has fireworks at the port, Palau has festival at the port, San Teodoro has music on the beach. Crowded everywhere.

Bogamarì / Sea Urchin Festival (variable, late August)

Alghero but also Cannigione. Sea urchin season, typical dishes, white wine.

September 2026

Sant'Andrea Cavalcata (first weekend of September)

Tempio Pausania. Riders in traditional Gallura costumes, parade, procession. Spectacular.

Fish Festival (variable)

Olbia, Old Port. Fried and cooked fish at low prices, live music, family atmosphere.

Beata Vergine di Bonaria Patronal Festival (8 September)

Olbia, Pittulongu, various villages. Patron of Sardinia. Processions, solemn mass, popular festival.

Costa Smeralda Award (variable September)

Porto Cervo. Prestigious international literary award. Cultural events, book presentations, Italian and foreign authors.

October 2026

Calici di Stelle (variable October)

Various Gallura villages. DOCG wine tastings at wineries, paired with typical dishes. Modest cost (€15-25 per person).

Wild Boar Festival (variable October)

Padru (45 min from Olbia, inland). Wild boar meat, grilled sausages, red wine, folk music. Very authentic rural atmosphere.

Cortes Apertas (October-November)

Various inland Sardinia villages. Private homes open to the public to show ancient crafts (weaving, carasau bread, cheese, wine). Authentic tourist experience.

Recurring weekly events

Weekly markets

• Olbia: Tuesday morning, Sa Marinedda area
• Arzachena: Wednesday morning, centre
• Palau: Monday morning, seafront
• San Teodoro: Thursday morning, centre
• Tempio Pausania: Friday morning, old town

Summer evening markets

• San Teodoro: every summer evening, seafront. Crafts, jewellery, drinks
• Porto Rotondo: summer weekends in Piazza San Marco
• Cannigione: every summer evening, seafront

Costa Smeralda society events

For those wanting to taste the legendary Costa Smeralda "nightlife":

• Phi Beach (Baja Sardinia, all August): sunset aperitifs, international DJs
• Billionaire (Porto Cervo, various summer dates): exclusive club, tables from €500+, strict dress code
• Cala di Volpe (various summer gala dinners): Michelin restaurants, private events
• Porto Cervo Cervo Hotel (various aperitifs and events): accessible luxury atmosphere

Practical tips for participating

• Check dates on municipal or pro loco websites before going — some festivals shift slightly year by year
• Parking: arrive 1-2 hours before for small villages (limited)
• Cash: many festivals accept only cash for food and drinks
• Casual clothes: no evening dress for traditional festivals (except Costa Smeralda society events)
• Late return: if returning after late dinner, watch out for inland roads (wild animals, poor lighting)
• Suitable vehicle: to reach inland villages like Berchidda, Padru, Aglientu, a Jeep Avenger or Mercedes A-Class is best

Combining events and itinerary

Planning the holiday around an event can enrich the experience:

• Time in Jazz Week (1-15 August): combine with complete Costa Smeralda + Berchidda itinerary
• Olbia White Night (June): perfect for long Olbia weekend, see what to do in Olbia 3 days
• Food festivals (September-October): combine with vermentino winery tour + inland Gallura
• Tempio Cavalcata: perfect as half-day inland Gallura excursion

Summary

Between May and October Gallura has dozens of events, festivals, festivals letting you live local culture beyond the beaches. Village food festivals are the most authentic and least touristy; Costa Smeralda society events are for those seeking exclusive experiences. Time in Jazz in Berchidda and surroundings is one of Europe's most important summer cultural appointments.

For comfortable car hire to tour Gallura villages — also with delivery directly to Olbia, Palau or Cannigione — contact Francesco and Salvatore Milo via WhatsApp +39 344 6107071. To plan a complete stay, also see our 7-day Costa Smeralda itinerary.